Feedback on Soma Side Effects and Usage, page 22
About Soma
If you’ve used Soma, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Chronic back pain
Date: 12/22/2008
Due to a dysfunctional SI joint and 3 accidents over a number of years, I have dealt with chronic back pain most of my life, and began taking Soma when it was prescribed for me after an accident 7 years ago. While recovering from the accident, I took one 350mg every 4-6 hours. When the acute pain from the accident returned to the chronic pain I had before, my dosage was reduced to one-half or one pill at bedtime. Over these 7 years, I have not developed a tolerance to the drug, and a one-half dose at bedtime still takes enough of the edge off my pain to allow me to fall asleep, yet does not leave me feeling groggy should there be a need for me to wake up during the night (sick child, earthquake, etc), and I don’t feel any lingering grogginess when I wake up in the morning.
I recently changed insurance and had to change physicians, and the first thing my new doctor wants to do is get me off Soma. To accomplish this, she prescribed Flexeril for muscle spasms, Trazodone as a “sleep aid”, and Celexa, because she feels that my insomnia is due to anxiety. The Flexeril does little to nothing for my back, the Trazodone (which I discovered as I was picking up my prescriptions is another anti-depressant, not a “sleep aid”) makes me feel light-headed, nauseated, drugged, but doesn’t do a thing to help me get to sleep. If I wake during the night, I can’t walk straight or see straight. I have no idea if the Celexa is having any effect at all. All I know is that this new combination of drugs does not provide the same relief I got from Soma. I have not had more than 3 hours of sleep a night, and my back pain has increased. I understand that insomnia and increased pain are side effects of quitting Soma, but it’s been more than 3 weeks. What I need to know is why the urgent need to get me off Soma? Are two psychoactive drugs really better than half a Soma?
Lynda
AskDocWeb: It is hard to give up something that has been working for you but consider the possibility that your current condition may make the possible risks to your health outweigh the benefits. Follow your doctor’s directions.
Subj: Severe vertigo
Date: 1/3/2009
I have been taking Soma for muscle spasms for about 2 months now. I only take one at night, because it makes me too drowsy. I’ve noticed that I am experiencing severe vertigo upon lying down, getting up, or changing head position while lying in bed. My doc ruled out ear problems. Is this a side effect of the drug?
Dorothy
AskDocWeb: Dizziness and vertigo are considered adverse reactions. Please consult with your doctor.
Subj: Soma Nasty drug
Date: 1/3/2009
I am curious why would Soma take 2 weeks to leave you body? Because of chronic use? I was taking that for TMJ then had the surgery and had to take it some more after surgery. Although I should say it did help the jaw pain. Thanks,
nomedsforme
AskDocWeb: The amount of time it takes for Soma to leave the body is not the same for everyone. The length of time it has been taken, dosage, BMI and the body’s metabolism all play a role in the length of time it takes.
Subj: Interesting side effects
Date: 1/4/2009
I have just started taking Soma a couple weeks ago. I have been in pain for a couple years now. This pill has been the cure for me. I have had severe muscle spasm in my abdomen that have kept me from enjoying life with my kids and husband. Some days it is even hard to walk. Let alone play with the kids. I have tried everything else. Lortab, and Percocet. Several others too. I can not stand pain meds or how they mess with my head. The doctor told me to take a whole pill 3 times a day. I tried a whole one. That really messed me up for several hours. I tried a half of one the next time. I have found that if I take half at lunch and half before bed I am good to go. I have also learned I need a good meal with it. If not I feel drunk for an hour.
I have also noticed some interesting side effects. My sex drive is off the charts and I have problems sleeping (I toss and turn). I have tested the sex drive theory. I went off the meds a couple days. My sex drive was normal. Then back on. My husband doesn’t mind the my experiment. I have not noticed any gain in weight. I have actually lost some weight because I can move around without pain. I am more active now. I have not showed aggression. My daughter tells me she is disgusted to hear me so cheery in the mornings. I am just taking the Soma when needed. Half at a time. I do not want to get addicted and only take when necessary if the pain is too much or to sleep(fitfully) without pain. Use this wisely and lock it up when you are not using it. Mine goes in my safe when people are over. Don’t be a stumbling block for others.
Ann
Subj: Long-term use of Soma
Date: 1/6/2009
My husband has been on Somas for along time now since he hurt his back really bad at work. The doctor gives them to him to help him sleep. It seems to work but there are those nights when he doesn’t fall asleep right away and it makes him do weird things. He talks really mean but when I look into his eyes it’s like another person and not him. Is this normal?
Nicole
AskDocWeb: It has been noted that long term use depletes seratonin levels which effects mood and can cause depression. Some doctors will prescribe low doses of antidepressants to combat this side effect.
Subj: I am pregnant
Date: 1/10/2009
I found out this week that I am pregnant, which would be exciting news if I hadn’t taken quite a few somas just about 3 weeks ago after a sudden death of a family member. I probably took 20 of them over the course of 2 weeks. What kind of effect could this have on my baby? I am worried to death. Please help!!!
beth
AskDocWeb: There may be no effect at all. Some women are able to take Soma even while pregnant because the benefits outweigh the risks. Please talk with your doctor about this concern.
Subj: Sexual problems?
Date: 1/17/2009
Is it possible for soma to cause impotence, or long term sexual problems?
jc
AskDocWeb: None have been reported, just the opposite. A couple of women have reported an increase in sex drive but there are no sexual side effects listed for Soma.
Subj: Overdosed twice
Date: 2/2/2009
If you have an addictive personality, do NOT take these! I have been reading how so many people acquired the drug for different reasons, but it seems the end result is always the same. I was taking 3 Soma/2 Lorcet combo multiple times per day for about 4 years until one visit to the Dr. and they informed me that Soma would not be prescribed by his office anymore. I panicked. I have overdosed twice, both times while shopping. The 1st time I was found by a nurse (go figure!) face down in the middle of a store. The 2nd time I was face to face with a police officer telling me I could either go to the ER or jail. (needless to say I picked the ER) I changed from Soma to Robaxin recently…seems the only real difference is the name. I take the same amount of Robaxin as I did Soma. Does anyone out there feel the same? I just traded off one drug for another it seems, and I have a legitimate, diagnosed condition.
Lynn
Subj: I built up a tolerance
Date: 2/4/2009
I was prescribed soma 350mg 4 times /day by ER doc for muscle pain and spasms. The first one I took knocked me out, so I took half pills for a few days. I found that I built up a tolerance VERY quickly, which made me nervous. I find if I take it 2-3 times /day for a few days, it really helps with my pain. I then try to stop taking them – partly to not get addicted and partly because I feel better. Unfortunately, the pain has been coming back after a few days. I find that if I only take one a day, it may very slightly take the edge off but to really feel better it takes a day or two of regular doses. Why is this? I have seen many specialists and am currently seeing a chiro and massage therapist who are working on my muscles. Meanwhile, the only thing that helps is the soma – but I am afraid of taking it for too long. How long term is it usually prescribed for – or is it meant for short term only?
Lauren
AskDocWeb: After Soma is taken for a day or two of regular doses it builds up in your system to a level where it is most effective. Soma is used as a short-term treatment for musculoskeletal conditions involving significant muscle spasm. The only warnings that we have seen limiting the time this drug may be used seem to be based on the possibility of drug abuse. This is a major concern because Soma metabolizes into meprobamate, which has long been sold as Milltown and is famous for its dependence potential. Abuse has not been seen when use has been limited to two weeks.
Subj: Friend took my Soma
Date: 2/6/2009
One of my friends was visiting my house the other day and took a bottle of soma that I had in my medicine closet…the previous week I had tried to kill myself with an OD of this medication. I was given a very small amount due to my age. I had been given 30 to take up to 3 daily as needed, I took 20. when my friend took the bottle and took the entire 10 herself, she unfortunately passed on. I’m wondering how I could take so many and feel perfectly fine, but my friend took so many fewer than I did and passed on? She and I are only 12 years old.
Danielle
AskDocWeb: You need to know that people have different tolerance levels for most drugs and two people can respond very differently to the same drug. What may cause a positive benefit for you might cause an allergic reaction in someone else. That is one reason why it is so important to never share prescription drugs.
Subj: Horrible stomach ache
Date: 2/6/2009
Soma – I’ve been taking 350 mg of soma three times a day for right at a year for upper back problems. These were prescribed by a doctor. In addition to the Soma I also started taking Advil and Tramadol. So I found to get thru a day at work I would take 3 soma’s per day, and 6 tramadol per day (2 at a time about 5 to 6 hours apart), the soma every 8 hours. Then in Dec. 2008 I had a cervical fusion surgery and my overall pain was much worse, of course. The doctor gave me vicodin. So now since Dec. 2008 I’m still only taking 3 soma’s per day but I’m also still taking the tramadol’s (7 to 8 in a day) and 5 vicodin’s per day. Well I found out on Tuesday that I need a CT scan and a milogram so I need to stop taking the Soma for 48 hours prior to the procedure. So on Thursday I began cutting my soma dosage. I cut my pills with a knife, so I’m probably taking 300 mg’s, and I went to two a day, today I’m taking 2 per day, and then I’m also cutting down on my tramadol’s, only taking 6 a day.
My question is how long will I have this horrible stomach ache? Of course I’m in elevated pain, but that’s life. I don’t have a choice. I’m not mentally addicted to any of this, but obviously my body is addicted. My thoughts are, Saturday continue with 2 Soma per day and then Sunday take 1 Soma, and then Monday and Tuesday NO SOMA, so I will be ready for the procedure on Wednesday. I can do this, but I don’t know how to run my life. Any ideas how long the withdrawels will last and any ideas? Possibly Pepto Bismo or something. Also once I get off the Soma I DON’T plan on taking any more of it. I didn’t realize until I read these posts just how dangerous it really is. I’m going to try and deal with the pain using tylenol and tramadol instead. Thanks.
Jule
AskDocWeb: The manufacturer says that withdrawal symptoms are rare. Reports from those discontinuing Soma say the worst withdrawal symptoms are over in 5 days. Read more feedback about Soma. Soma report – 19 – 20 – 21 – Page 22 – 23 – 24 – 25 – Last Page 47
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